Charlie Puth is one of those artists I feel more familiar with from YouTube clips than from a deep dive into his discography. Attention was a banger. There’s no denying that. And there’s definitely no denying Charlie’s insane musicality. That’s the frame of reference here. With that in mind, let’s talk about Beat Yourself Up.

The track is a mix of bubbly, disco-leaning dance pop with a sensual edge, and honestly, you could probably tack on a few more descriptors if you wanted. It gives off a similar feeling to Happy by Pharrell Williams. It’s even a little insidious in the best way. The hook latches on almost instantly and refuses to let go. That kind of stickiness is impressive. Writing something that grabs you this quickly takes a very specific skill set.

Justin Bieber may be the king of melodies, but Charlie exists in his own lane when it comes to crafting hooks that linger. Even when the melodies feel familiar, he presents them in a way that still feels fresh and immaculately polished. The track has a fairytale quality to it, like seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, and that slightly surreal feeling is part of the charm. It’s easy to imagine Luigi playing this song to himself after losing a race in Mario Kart.

There’s something slightly inorganic about the track, yet it still grooves and carries its own sense of soul. The instrumentation is clean, and the vocals sit perfectly on top, highlighting just how precise the arrangement is. This is the kind of pop song that will appeal to listeners who like their music energetic and polished. Just about anyone could put this track on and find something to enjoy.

Beat Yourself Up has definitely made Charlie Puth more intriguing. Whatever comes next is worth keeping an eye on, hopefully an album. That would be interesting. For now, Beat Yourself Up is well worth a listen.

The track has a fairytale quality to it, like seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, and that slightly surreal feeling is part of the charm.